Distracted Driving: Impacts Road Safety and Prevention

Every day on the road, drivers face a deadly risk, and most of them don't even realize it's there.

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous killers on today's roads, and yet the majority of drivers think it won't happen to them.

Believe it or not, I used to think that way myself.

Until one day I looked at the statistics.

In 2023, distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives. That means nine people every day who never made it home because someone wasn't paying attention.

And the problem is only getting worse.

So let's dive into some of the more interesting and shocking statistics on distracted driving and talk about why it's so dangerous, who is at risk, and what we can do to stop it.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Distracted Driving Is Such A Dangerous Problem

• The Real Cost of Taking Your Eyes Off The Road

• Types Of Distractions That Kill

• How Technology Makes Everything Worse

• What Actually Works To Prevent Distracted Driving

What Exactly Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is exactly what it sounds like. It's any time the driver's attention is not on the road and the primary task of safe driving. It can be caused by anything that takes your:

• Eyes off the road (visual distraction)

• Hands off the wheel (manual distraction)

• Mind off driving (cognitive distraction)

Most distractions combine all three of these at the same time.

When it comes to understanding distracted driving, the first thing to know is that it's very often the driver's own fault. In most cases, the distraction itself is 100% preventable. However, most drivers massively underestimate how dangerous even a few seconds of distraction can be.

Take your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at highway speed and you've just driven blind the length of an entire football field.

The reality is nobody is good at multi-tasking when it comes to driving. Not you. Not your teenager. Not anyone. The problem is people just don't realize it.

The Real Numbers Behind Distracted Driving

I want you to know something that most people don't.

Distracted driving is a lot more common than most people realize. In fact, a recent survey showed that 47% of drivers admitted to texting while driving and that was just the people who were willing to admit it.

The real number is probably much higher.

And it's not just texting. Distracted driving takes many forms, including:

• Talking on the phone (hands-free or not)

• Eating and drinking

• Adjusting the radio or climate controls

• Using navigation systems

• Grooming or applying makeup

• Talking to passengers

• Handling kids or pets in the backseat

All of the above activities take attention away from driving. Combine them with other road conditions like traffic, weather, or poor road design, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Who Is Most Likely To Be A Distracted Driver?

You're going to love this.

The most at-risk group for distracted driving accidents is young people. Drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 have the highest percentage of distraction-related fatal crashes when compared to all other age groups.

Here's the scary part.

It's not because they lack knowledge or education. The problem is young people have an overwhelming sense of invincibility and overconfidence in their ability to multitask.

Spoiler alert: We all suck at multitasking when it comes to driving.

The Cost Of Distracted Driving Goes Beyond Lives

One other big thing that most people don't realize.

Distracted driving kills and maims but it also has a big impact on families and insurance companies financially. Every time someone gets a distracted driving ticket, it could cost them hundreds of dollars extra on their insurance bill.

For a single violation, that's anywhere from 20% to 50% increased rates on your insurance in some states. Yikes.

But if someone is unlucky enough to cause an accident, the financial burden can be even worse. Thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, property damage, and legal fees can be incurred.

Technology: The Distraction Multiplier

The most ironic part is that this deadly epidemic was made far, far worse because of technology.

We've all got smartphones now. And they are designed to be as addictive and distracting as possible.

Checking your phone for "just a second" is the perfect storm of distraction. It takes your eyes, hands, and mind off of driving at the same time.

And because smart devices were not built with the road in mind, it's easy to get sidetracked. Read one text message and suddenly you have a dozen more notifications flashing at you.

Don't even get me started on the dangers of hands-free technology. I know what you're thinking. If I can keep my hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road, it's not really that bad, right?

Wrong.

Turns out just talking on the phone (Bluetooth or not) creates a serious cognitive distraction that impacts driving ability. So don't let the fact that it's hands-free fool you.

What Actually Works To Prevent Distracted Driving

So if technology causes so many problems, how can you actually prevent it?

The simplest and most effective thing you can do is to completely put the phone away when you drive.

Before you start your car:

• Put your phone on silent

• Tuck it out of sight in the glove box or trunk

• Turn on "Do Not Disturb While Driving"

• Tell friends and family that you will not respond while driving

If you absolutely have to make a call, use a navigation app, or respond to a text message, pull over into a safe location first.

And the best advice for parents? Lead by example. Teens learn their bad driving habits by watching you. Don't you ever check your phone at a red light or glance at your notifications while driving. Don't let your teen think it's OK to do the same.

So let's recap.

Distracted driving is just as deadly as driving drunk. It can kill just as many people. The danger is just as real.

As laws get stricter, bans get wider, and police get tougher with enforcement campaigns. The problem is still very real.

To prevent distracted driving, everyone has to take personal responsibility and make the right choice. Put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road.

Wrapping This Up

Distracted driving is 100% preventable.

Every single one of those 3,275 people who died in distracted driving crashes in 2023 could have been avoided if the driver had just kept their focus on the road.

The solution is not rocket science, it's just a matter of making better choices.

Put the phone away. Save your food for later. Set your navigation before you start driving. Keep your full attention on the task at hand.

You're life and the lives of everyone around you depend on it.

So before you pick up your phone or reach for that drink, think of those 3,275 people and remember them the next time you're tempted to glance down.

Don't be part of the statistic.

Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

The next time someone asks you why you're not on your phone while driving, just tell them it's simple, it really is that easy.